Elvis Presley left the building for good 39 years ago today at the age of 42.

Less than a year before his death, the King was at the University of Dayton Arena for his fourth and final time.

Here is every stop Elvis made in Dayton:•Sunday, May 27, 1956, at the UD Fieldhouse•Friday, April 7, 1972, at the University of Dayton Arena•Sunday, Oct. 6, 1974, at the University of Dayton Arena (2 performances)•Tuesday, Oct. 26, 1976, at the University of Dayton Arena

People waited outside in the cold for days to get their tickets.

Pandemonium ensued as people crowded into the venue and that night, Elvis gave an unforgettable show for the people of Dayton.

This article was published on Oct. 27, 1976, in the Dayton Daily News.

Rare is the man who hasn’t at one time or another silently cursed his mother for not making him practice that guitar as a young boy instead of running out to play.

Because she didn’t, all those would-be crooners who’d rather be “King” Elvis Presley than president have to settle for just watching the great Elvis, as they flocked to UD Arena to do Tuesday night.

Altogether, 13,750 jammed into a frenzied state of spellbound anticipation. Loretta Badjo of Kettering sported a GI-green gown with eight Elvis iron-ons around the skirt and three official Elvis buttons pinned on the bodice.

She had that determination in her eyes: if anyone was going to get a scarf when Elvis started handing them out, Loretta Badjo would.

Gospel singers J.D. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet opened the show to the explosions of a thousand flashcubes. Then there was comic Jackie Kahanem, who gave way to the Sweet Inspirations, who gave way to intermission.

At 9:39 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, the house lights came down again, signaling the final approach of the big moment. Out of the darkness came the opening strains of the “2001” theme, and screams from the lower arena seats near the portal. The entire audience leaned forward. There was magic in the air.

And then he hit the spotlight.

First the jet black hair. Then the white collar, turned up. And then the body, attired in a white jumpsuit with an orange and gold sunburst on the back and front.

It was all screams.

“Oh see,” the opening strains of “C.C. Rider,” were interrupted by screams. He shook his knee and the crowd screamed. Every time he moved, they screamed.

A woman broke through to his feet and pleaded for a kiss. He bent down slowly, finally getting on both knees, and answered her wish. As he started the next song, he took off his scarf and tossed it into the crowd. Pandemonium. Women, and men, rushed the stage.

Loretta Badjo made her move, but was stopped by a guard.

During the ballad, “You Gave Me a Mountain," the front of the stage was swamped.

Loretta Badjo raced up the second aisle and made it to the stage. She narrowly missed a scarf and was run off.

After “Help Me” and “All Shook Up,” she tried again during “Teddy Bear,” giving the guard a head fake and running wildly down the second aisle.

During “And I Love You So,” both Loretta Badjo and Deanna Rowland grabbed scarf number 34. After two minutes of tugging, they agreed on the only sensible thing to do. Husband Joe Badjo split it down the middle with his pocket knife.

Elvis closed with “I Can’t Help Falling in Love with You,” singing it at stage’s edge and reaching out to touch the outstretched hands of fans. And then, as suddenly as he appeared, Elvis was gone.